Dual handle baseball bat

ABSTRACT

An exercise training device in the form of a baseball bat or other sports-related equipment that has been modified to have dual handles. The device is adapted to be attached to a weight resistance system in order to perform abdominal exercises while doing baseball or other sports-related motions and plyometric movements.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No.61/302,030 filed on Feb. 5, 2010

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an exercise device in the form of a baseballbat that has been modified to have dual handles in order to performabdominal exercises while doing baseball related motions and plyometricmovements.

2. Description of the Related Art

Exercise devices are commonly used to develop muscles that are used incertain athletic activities such as baseball, golf, hockey or tennis. Inthe building and training of muscles useful for improving performance ofa baseball player or other athletes, various exercises are typicallyperformed which strengthen muscles useful for improving, for example,hitting distance.

General batting practice using a pitcher or a pitching machine issometimes inefficient particularly with newer players who may be unableto hit the ball. In this case, the batter gets little accuracy or musclestrength training. Additionally, a pitcher or a pitching machine doesnot add any resistance to the swing in order to strengthen muscles, suchthat the batter can obtain a more powerful swing.

Swinging a baseball bat involves a batter holding the bat using boththeir hands, one on top of the other. The hand closest to the knob ofthe bat is called the bottom hand and the other hand is called the tophand. The bottom hand guides the bat during the swing and affects thebatter's accuracy of the swing. The top hand pushes the bat during theswing and provides the power behind the swing. During a swing of thebat, the batter uses many different muscle groups that affect the powerof the swing, such as the abdominal core, legs, hips, shoulders andarms.

The abdominal core is the foundation for the body and the stronger theabdominal core, the stronger an individual's body will be overall. Itwould behoove the batter to have a strong abdominal core, in order toenhance the batter's swing. An individual can do sit-ups or use exerciseequipment to strengthen their abdominal core, but such exercises do notinvolve baseball related motions and do not assist in furtherdevelopment of baseball related skills.

Thus, a need exist for an improved device that strengthens anindividual's abdominal core while assisting the user in furtherdeveloping sports related skills.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, as embodied and broadly described herein, a device isdisclosed that strengthens the abdominal core and comprises a first end,a second end and a longitudinal body that extends between the first andsecond end. The longitudinal body comprises a first handle and a secondhandle, wherein the first handle is adjacent the first end, and thesecond handle is separated from the first handle but not adjacent thesecond end. The second end is adapted to have a coupling device, such asa ring or clip, that allows the device to be connected to a weightpulley system or other weight resistance system.

These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate by way of example the features of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention in accordance with one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of the inventionwhere the modified barrel is configured to detachably couple to thefirst handle.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the inventioncomprising a plurality of rings or hooking devices.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the use of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Core strength is essential to athletic performance. An important factorin improving and maximizing athletic performance is building a strongcore. Athletic performance normally involves unstable environments, suchas hitting or throwing a ball from an awkward position. A strong coreimproves balance and stability, and the strength of the core willdictate the ease or difficulty in which a person can perform suchathletic movements. Core muscles are exerted when an individual performsa baseball swinging motion. Thus, increasing an individual's corestrength is essential to improving an individual's performance of abaseball swinging motion.

The present invention has been designed to help individuals develop corestrength while performing baseball related motions and plyometricmovements. The invention can be used to perform different exercises thatwill strengthen the core by mimicking a baseball swing and otherbaseball related movements. A stronger core will not only improve anindividual's ability to perform baseball related skills, but a strongcore will also assist in preventing the occurrence of bodily injury dueto repeated baseball related motions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, thedevice 10 is shaped in the form of a baseball bat. The device 10comprises a first end 11, a second end 12 and a body 13 extendingbetween the first end 11 and the second end 12. The body 13 comprises afirst handle 14 and a second handle 15, wherein the first handle 14 isadjacent the first end 11 and the second handle 15 is separated from thefirst handle 14 and near the second end 12. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the second handle 15 in located at the middle of the barrel 16of the baseball bat device 10. However, in other embodiments, the secondhandle 15 can be located at different locations of the barrel 16. Thesecond handle 15 allows an individual to grip the baseball bat with onehand on each handle 14, 15 separating their hands while performing abaseball swinging motion. The device 10 can be configured to have afirst ring 26 or other attachment device attached to the second end 12,such that the device 10 can be connected to a weight pulley system orother weight resistance system. A variety of grips can also be added toone or both handles to increase comfort and grip. Typical baseball batsare made of wood or aluminum. The present invention can be made ofdifferent materials, such as but not limited to wood, aluminum, steel,metal alloy, or a combination thereof.

Using the present invention connected to a weight resistance systemallows an individual to further strengthen their core. In using weightresistance training, while performing baseball related motions with anindividual's hands gripping the first handle 14 and second handle 15, anindividual's core will be isolated. Continued use results in improvedcore strength and improved ability in performing baseball relatedmovements. Other core strengthening or plyometric motions can be used tofurther isolate an individual's core. For example, the core can beisolated by separating an individual's hands by holding the invention atthe first handle 14 and second handle 15, aligning the arms and handswith the shoulders, and standing with the legs separated to shoulderwidth. By maintaining this position, the core will be isolated whileperforming exercises with the present invention. Good athletic postureand balance is the result of a strong core. The invention having thefirst handle 14 and second handle 15 assists in aligning the user's bodyinto a good athletic posture and balanced position in order to develop astrong core. Separating an individual's hands on the first handle 14 andsecond handle 15 of the present invention, used in connection with aweight resistance system, and performing baseball related skill motions,will not only improve core strength, but will also increase overallathletic performance.

The present invention can also be used to correct and/or develop properbaseball swinging mechanics. Swing mechanics can be worked on byattaching the ring 26 to a weight resistance system 41, as shown in FIG.4. Resistance training allows individuals to work on muscle groupsexerted during a baseball swinging motion, for example, the top hand.The top hand can be exercised by gripping the second handle 15 with thetop hand, while the bottom hand is gripping the first handle 14. Duringa swinging motion, the top hand pushes the bat through the swingingmotion and provides the power in the swing. Pushing the top hand throughthe swinging motion, while the bat is connected to a weight resistancesystem 41, strengthens the top hand, and a strong top hand will improvean individual's ability to generate power and bat speed during abaseball swinging motion. This resistance training will strengthen anindividual's top hand which is vital to maximize and improve baseballswinging mechanics, while also strengthening the individual's core.Secondary muscle groups, such as legs, hips, arms and shoulders, canalso be strengthened when performing the exercises to strengthen the tophand and the core. Resistance training corrects and/or develops properswing mechanics because the resistance on the bat assists users tofollow a certain swing path. Repeated use of the invention whileperforming baseball swinging motion will also develop the core's musclememory, which improves an individual's ability to activate the importantmuscle groups to produce a strong and accurate quick swing.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the device can be configuredto comprise a plurality of rings 26 or hooking devices attached ondifferent locations of the body 13 in order for the device 30 to beconnected to a weight resistance system at the plurality of rings 26.The configuration of the embodiment in FIG. 3 allows the device 30 to beused with an increased resistance or a dual motion resistance whileperforming a baseball swinging motion.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the body 13 may be formedof two individual pieces, a base 21 and a top 22 that are adapted to beconnected together. In some embodiments, the manner in which the base 21and the top 22 are adapted to be connected together comprise a screw 23extending from one of the base 21 or the top 22 and one of the top 22 orbase 21 having a corresponding threaded hole 24 to receive the screw 23.In other embodiments, the base 21 and top 22 can be connected by usingclamps, or the outer surface of one of the base 21 or top 22 is threadedand the inner area of the top 22 or base 21 is adapted to receive thethreaded outer surface. This would allow the modified barrel 16,comprising the second handle 15, to be detached from the base 21,comprising the first handle 14, and then attaching a second top 25 tothe base 21, wherein the second top 25 has not been modified to have asecond handle 15 or a first ring 26. This would result in the inventionresembling a typical baseball bat and may be used to perform baseballrelated activities, such as but not limited to, hitting off a tee orhitting Wiffle® balls. In other embodiments, the second top 25 maycomprise a weighted barrel which again results in the inventionresembling a typical baseball bat, but is heavier than a typicalbaseball bat. Attaching the weighted barrel allows users to performbaseball related motions with a bat that is heavier than what istypically used.

The invention, when in the form of a baseball bat, has dimensionssimilar to a typical baseball bat. An example of approximate dimensionsof the invention in the form of a baseball bat is as follows:

-   -   Weight of bat with ring 26 on second end 12 is approximately        29.25 ounces    -   Length of bat without the ring 26 is approximately 34 inches    -   Length of bat with the ring 26 is approximately 36 inches    -   Length of the second handle 15 on the modified barrel 16 is        approximately 4 inches    -   Length from the base of the knob to the modified barrel 16 is        approximately 25 inches    -   Length of body 13 from end of the second handle 15 to the second        end 12 is approximately 5 inches, with the ring 26 is        approximately 7 inches    -   Diameter of the base of the first handle 14 is approximately 1.5        inches    -   Diameter of the end of the modified barrel 16 is approximately 2        inches    -   Circumference of the modified barrel 16 at the center of the        second handle 15 is approximately 4.75 inches    -   Circumference at the start point 17 of the modified barrel 16 is        approximately 7.5 inches    -   Circumference at the end point 18 of the modified barrel 16 is        approximately 8 inches    -   Circumference of body at the second end 12 is approximately 8        inches    -   Circumference of widest part of knob 7.25 inches

However, the invention can be formed having various dimensions in orderfor both adults and youths to be able to use the invention.

The present invention is described herein with reference to certainembodiments, but it is understood that the invention can be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. For example, the embodiments herein show adevice formed in the shape of a baseball bat. However, the presentinvention is not limited to be in the shape of a baseball bat. In otherembodiments, the invention can be formed to have alternative shapes,such as but not limited to, a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a golfclub, or the like.

1. A sports training device comprising: a body; a first end; a secondend, wherein said body extends between said first end and said secondend; a first handle on said body adjacent said first end; and a secondhandle on said body and separate from said first handle, said secondhandle also separate from said second end, wherein said second handle isadapted to have a circumference that is greater than the circumferenceof said first handle.
 2. The sports training device of claim 1, whereinsaid body is in the form of a baseball bat.
 3. The sports trainingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a ring attached to said secondend, wherein said ring is adapted to be connected to a weight resistancesystem.
 4. The sports training device of claim 1, wherein said body hasa variable circumference that increases along said body from said firstend towards said second end.
 5. The sports training device of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of rings attached to different locationsof said body.
 6. The sports training device of claim 5, wherein saidplurality of rings can be connected to one or more weight resistancesystems, such that the resistance can be increased or resistance ispresent in a dual motion environment.
 7. The sports training device ofclaim 1, wherein said body is formed of the material comprising wood,aluminum, steel, metal alloy, or a combination thereof.
 8. A sportstraining device comprising: a body; a first end; a second end, whereinsaid body extends between said first end and said second end; a firsthandle on said body adjacent said first end, said body furthercomprising a base and a top, wherein said base and said top are adaptedto be removably attached; and a coupling device adapted to couple saidbase and said top.
 9. The sports training device of claim 8, whereinsaid coupling device is configured such that one of said base or saidtop comprises a screw extending from one of said base or said top andthe other of said top or said base comprises a hole adapted to receivesaid screw.
 10. The sports training device of claim 8, wherein said topfurther comprises a second handle.
 11. The sports training device ofclaim 10, wherein said top is configured to have a circumference greaterthan said base, said second handle configured to have a circumferencethat is greater than said first handle and less than said top.
 12. Thesports training device of claim 8, wherein said first handle is on saidbase.
 13. The sports training device of claim 8, wherein said top isadapted be replaced with a weighted second top, such that thecombination of said base and said weighted second top is heavier thanthe combination of said base and said top.
 14. The sports trainingdevice of claim 8, further comprising a ring attached to said secondend, wherein said ring is adapted to be connected to a weight resistancesystem.
 15. The sports training device of claim 8, further comprising aplurality of rings attached to different locations of said body.
 16. Thesports training device of claim 15, wherein said plurality of rings canbe connected to one or more weight resistance systems, such that theresistance can be increased or resistance is present in a dual motionenvironment.
 17. The sports training device of claim 8, wherein saidcoupling device is configured such that one of said base or said topcomprises an outer threaded surface and the other of said top or saidbase comprises a threaded inner surface to receive said outer threadedsurface.
 18. The sports training device of claim 8, wherein said base orsaid top is formed of the material comprising wood, aluminum, steel,metal alloy, or a combination thereof.
 19. A method of using a sportstraining device to strengthen an abdominal core, comprising: providingsaid sports training device comprising a first handle and a secondhandle, wherein said first and second handles are shoulder width apart;connecting said sports training device to a weight resistance system;gripping said first handle of said device using a first hand; grippingsaid second handle of said device using a second hand, such that saidhands are shoulder width apart; performing a rotational motion using theupper body only, such that the abdominal core performs the majority ofthe exertion.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said first handgripping said first handle such that the palm of said first hand isface-down, and said second hand gripping said second handle such thatthe palm of said second hand is face-up.